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Beit Midrash
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This background leads to a very difficult question. If a special miracle was needed to allow Rivka to conceive, why did the miracle have to result in the birth of twin boys, considering it was already prophesied that the chosen nation would come from only one of the sons? Let us present one of the possible approaches that stem from the words of Chazal.
Shir Hashirim Zuta (1:15) indicates that Eisav was slated for greatness had he not deteriorated. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shemot 1) blames mistakes in Yitzchak’s parenting for the failure. Yitzchak was concerned that if he would be too strict with Eisav, Eisav would rebel from his father’s path. His approach did not help. Chazal teach us that rebuke can be very effective if one does it in the right way (see Berachot 7a). Perhaps the most poignant advice for dealing with those who have begun to stray is, "One should always have the left hand push away and the right draw closer" (Sota 47a). Had Yitzchak succeeded, there could have been two tribes, albeit not perfectly unified, but creating a situation of healthy rivalry where each one pushes the other to greater heights. Instead, Eisav emerged as he did, leading, two generations later, to Amalek. The rivalry is not healthy, and it will continue until the coming of Mashiach (see Ovadia 1:21).
Taking a look at Eisav, we see that he contained points of fine behavior, even a certain degree of gentleness. His respect for his father was extreme and sincere (see Bereishit Rabba 65:16), and even his hypocritical behavior before Yitzchak stemmed from a good place. It is hard to picture how his coarse behavior in speaking before Yaakov and the major sins he committed (see Bava Batra 16b) fit in.
The solution is that one has a "first-stage nature," which requires educational work to take advantage of – to keep the problematic part in check and to channel the nature in the right direction. Eisav certainly was the son of Yitzchak and the grandson of Avraham, and he inherited many of their fine qualities. Yet, when he did not used his qualities properly, he turned into a "wild donkey" (see Iyov 11:12). The gemara says: "I created an evil inclination, and I created the Torah as a remedy" (Kiddushin 30b). Without Torah, it is not possible to develop properly.
There are groups who speak these days about Jewish awareness. They feel pressure from their lack of satisfaction with their movements’ direction. However, awareness, knowing how their father and their grandfather prayed, is not enough to give significant results. Maybe it will bring them a little respect for their fathers (as Eisav had). But this will not stop them from tricking their fathers to quiet their consciences and continuing to sin horribly. What they need is to actually sit in the tents of Torah, as Yaakov did, and use authentic Torah as a remedy. Education cannot be limited to strokes of the face; there need to be a left hand pushing away and a right hand drawing close. The use of the left is as important as that of the right.
Let us learn from our forefather’s mistake and fix that which is awry now and in the future.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
